Luther Van Cleve II

Luther Ballard Van Cleve II, 68, of Katy, Texas, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at St. Catherine Hospital in Katy.

Born July 23, 1940, in Malden, Mo., son of the late Luther Ballard and Mary Lee Munger Van Cleve, he was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in Vietnam and was awarded two Purple Hearts. He was an insurance salesman, a Mason in Houston, Texas, a Past Master of Holland Lodge No. 1 AF & AM, Past Commander of Ruthven Commandery No 2 KT, and Associate Worthy Patron of Houston Chapter No. 385, OES.

On Sept. 21, 2003, in Katy, he married Rita Carol Bolton, who survives.

Survivors also include one son, Jeffrey "J.T." Van Cleve and wife, Dana, of Mayfield, Ky.; one daughter, Amy Jo Hunter and husband, Benjamin, of Sikeston, Mo.; one step-son, David Bell and wife, Meliss Jo, of Crossett, Ark., and eight grandchildren, Samantha, Alexa and Jacob Van Cleve, Benjamin David, Joseph Tucker and Andrew Parnel Hunter, and Makayla Grace and Alexander Peyton Bell.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Sandra Lee Blaker, and his grandparents, Orrin L. and Minnie Munger and William and Cassandra Bell Scruggs Van Cleve.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Funeral services with Masonic services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home Chapel with Revs. Carl Scroggins and Josh Keshum officiating.

Burial with military rites will follow in the Park Cemetery at Malden.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.